Mixtape-Postcards

She’s a Rainbow

She comes in colors ev’rywhere
She combs her hair
She’s like a rainbow
The Rolling Stones, “She’s a Rainbow” (Their Satanic Majesties Request, 1967)

Hello All!

I’m currently sitting at my vanity, watching the Pats/Seahawk game, trying to get my heart to slow down, because when I went in my bathroom to get my hair dye ready, a fucking MOUSE came charging at me. Y’all, this 1 oz. ball of fury made me jump in the air and scream like a bitch and then it ran by me and fucking disappeared. I just…..I have to burn my house down now, don’t I? We have NEVER in my life had a mouse/rat problem and like…..I feel myself borderline having a panic attack. So yeah…stay tuned for more on that fucking situation.

So the entry for this week, deals with my September 2018 mix. I.FUCKING.LOVE.THIS.MIX. There are a few trio clusters that move me every time.

The Man who Sold the World – David Bowie
Stephanie Says – The Velvet Underground
Yakermo Sew – Mulatu Astatke
Trio #1

I LOVE this trio. First up, TMWSTW is quite possibly one of the top 5 best Bowie songs. It just has this amazing vibe to it, and it’s just impeccably cool. Stephanie Says is just soft and sweet, tinged with 60’s vibes on top. Yakermo Sew is an instrumental, and continues that effortless cool that just makes me want to be a chic mod in 60’s London, where I hop onto the back of a cute mod boy’s scooter as we dart off into the night looking for adventures.

Wear Your Love Like Heaven – Donovan
Une Fois Mais Pas Deux – Brigitte Fontaine
Someone I Know – Margot Guryan
Trio #2

This one is also ripe with that cool factor. WYLKH is one of my favorite 60’s songs, and I just unironically love Donovan. UFMPD is a beautiful little french pop slice that just speaks to my inner soul which can’t speak any French at all. And Someone I Know is baroque pop with a tinge of soul and just makes you feel so fucking chic it hurts.

In a Station – Karen Dalton
Just Another – Pete Yorn
Way Way Back – Matt Nathanson
Trio #3

In a Station again has a nice soul vibe, and I love the sound of Karen’s voice. Just Another is one of my favorite Pete Yorn songs, and it just has this bittersweet melancholy that I love. Way Way Back is from one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Matt Nathanson. He absolutely nails that feeling when you find that your ex has a new person and you automatically begin to compare yourself to that person. And then you just end up at “fuck you, you peaked with me bro”. That feeling, he nails it perfectly.

Chelsea Girls – Nico
Cathedrals – Jump, Little Children
She’s a Rainbow – The Rolling Stones
Trio #4

First off, I love Nico. I love the low register of her voice, that low husky alto that would sound best in a close intimate setting. This is one of my favorite songs of hers. Cathedrals is from my one of my favorite college bands and one that I could listen too on repeat for hours. It’s melancholic and honest with lyrics that convey what searching for home can feel like. Lastly, She’s a Rainbow again follows in that 60’s cool that was apparently my jam when I made this. Also, when they used it for the coven’s return in AHS: Apocalypse, I SCREAMED into my phone to my bestie “OMG THE WITCHES, HOLY SHIT THIS IS THE BEST ENTRANCE EVER”.

Okay, those are some yummy slices from a great mix. I have my work bag prepped for tomorrow. I’ve been at home for 2 weeks, but I have to go in tomorrow to get some stuff done. I need my loud ass shitty neighbors to stop being loud assholes every.fucking.weekend. So yeah, I’m going to go enjoy my edible and call it a night. Go, and when you vote, tell them Ruth sent you.

Curbside Prophet

I’m just a curbside prophet
with my hand in my pocket
and I’m waiting for my rocket to come
Jason Mraz “Curbside Prophet” (Waiting For My Rocket to Come, 2002)

Hello World!

Not much going on for me. Doing some math homework and chatting with my little brother while I wait for my foam mattress topper to inflate.

I wanted to write this week about music podcasts. I love podcasts to begin with, they’re perfect for playing in the background while you work on stuff, and I wanted to share some of my favorite podcasts that specialize in music.

NPR ALL SONGS CONSIDERED – This should come as no surprise, this is where I get most of my new music from. They cover mostly indie, but they also showcase latin, hip-hop, and rap music as well. I have discovered so many good tunes and artists through this one and I highly recommend it.

NPR TINY DESK CONCERTS – NPR brings in bands/artists they feature on All Songs Considered, and they perform live behind Bob Boilen’s tiny desk. There are some incredible live performances on the website and podcast, and it’s just so much fun to watch. You see some crazy shit, but also intimate performances that will stick with you.

THE NOISEPOP PODCAST – This one showcases the best of San Francisco/West Coast indie music. Now recently they haven’t been updating regularly, but when they do they do not disappoint. Leans more hip-hop/rap than rock/alternative, they do have some fantastic mixes and highly recommend you check them out.

DISGRACELAND – Do you like stories about musicians? Do you really love stories about musicians behaving terribly? Then let me tell you about this little slice of heaven. Jake Brennan covers all genres of music as he tells us tales of musicians acting badly. I started this at the beginning of quarantine and just finished up all 5 seasons. If you like behind-the-scenes type podcasts then you need to check this out.

27 CLUB – If you know music lore, then you are familiar with the phrase “The 27 Club”. It refers to musicians/artists/celebrities who died at the ripe age of 27. This currently has one complete season (Jimmy Hendrix, which I am halfway through) and he is currently halfway through covering Jim Morrison. This one is also from the desk of Jake Brennan and is really entertaining.

DEAR YOUNG ROCKER – Ok, I have to give a caveat on this one. You have to power through the first few episodes. This podcast is narrated by Chelsea Ursin, and tells of how she overcame anxiety and her awkward high school years through music. Ok, what made this one tough for me was she comes off as ‘I’m totes not your average girl’ and it was SUPER frustrating at times. But it all comes together at the end and it’s now one I find pretty engaging. Season 1 is complete, and she’s 4 episodes into Season 2.

PUNCH UP THE JAM – My work wife got me hooked on this podcast a couple of years ago. Basically the concept is Miel Bredouw and a guest pick a song, and then dissect it line by line and talk about why it rocks, and what they would improve. The best part, is that at the end of the podcast they redo the song and “Punch it Up”. It’s super funny, doesn’t take itself too seriously, and has opened my eyes to some great tunes.

RIVALS: MUSIC’S GREATEST FEUDS – This is a newer podcast (debuted in early 2020) and has quickly become a staple. Again, if you love behind the music style shows, you will love this show that deals with who hates who in music. The hosts have a great rapport and they cover your favorite singer vs. singer AND band member vs. band member feuds. (They’re currently on part 2 for the band CSNY, and it’s SO GOOD)

Ok guys, that is it from me. I need to clean and get dinner started 3 more weeks until Fall Break (already, holy christ) and 72 days until Thanksgiving Break. Ciao!

Everyday I Write the Book

Everyday
Everyday I write the book.
Chapter One: We didn’t really get along.
Chapter Two: I think I fell in love with you.
Elvis Costello “Everyday I Write the Book” (Punch the Clock, 1983)

Happy Sunday!

I’m writing this from my bed this week as I veg in front of NETFLIX and prepare to enjoy the extra day off thanks to Labor Day. I also am going to miss Tuesday because of the dentist, but I’m not going to count that because ew it’s the dentist.

I wrote a few months ago about the books and shows I was enjoying during quarantine. I feel that it’s time to add to what I’ve read and watched. First up, THE BOOKS!

READ SINCE APRIL

The Far Field by Madhuri Vijay
Horror Stories: A Memoir by Liz Phair
Adjustment Day by Chuck Palahniuk
Ministry of Moral Panic by Amanda Lee Koe
Katheryn Howard, the Scandalous Queen by Alison Weir
Consider This: Moments in My Writing… by Chuck Palahniuk
A Gift For a Ghost by Borja Gonzalez
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies and a Conspiracy…by Ronan Farrow
Trust Exercise by Susan Choi
Tori Amos: Piece by Piece by Tori Amos
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
The Last Wish by Adrezj Sapkowski
You’re Never Weird on the Internet by Felicia Day
Disgraceland by Jake Brennan
Angels & Whiskey by Kimberly Knight

SO.MANY.BOOKS. Most of them pretty good, although I think my favorites were Katheryn Howard & American Born Chinese. I loathed Trust Exercise, which made me sad because I’d heard good things from friends. I’m currently sitting at 27/30 books, only three more to meet my goal which I may end up changing. I’m currently reading Midnight Sun, because I freaking loved the dumpster fire that was the Twilight Series and I had to read it.

Now, onto the shows. I have knocked off a HUGE chuck of my list btw.

Disenchantment S2
Daredevil S3
Jessica Jones S3
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt S4
The Flash S6
Supergirl S5
Arrow S8
Legends of Tomorrow S5
High Fidelity S1
GLOW S3
The Crown S3
The Witcher S1

I feel like I have to add, that I only watched a half-season for each of the CW shows. I had stopped watching them in February due to time, so I just needed to finish a few episodes. There was really nothing here that I didn’t like. The Crown was spectacular (time change = new cast, give me Olivia Coleman in EVERYTHING) and I also really dug Henry Cavill’s bod…….acting in The Witcher. (Seriously tho, boy is thicker than a bowl of oatmeal) I also fell in love with GLOW again, and I was angered all over again because Netflix cancelled the Marvel shows. Currently I’m watching ‘The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance” (LOVING IT, and the voice cast is top notch) and I think Watchmen will be up next. EDIT: I forgot to add High Fidelity, and OMG so freaking good and HULU, shame on you for cancelling it.

Okay kids, that is it from me. Day off tomorrow (cleaning and sleeping in) and then dentist on Tuesday. I think I might play shuffle and make a playlist out of it….we will see. Next week will be about music podcasts and maybe put an old playlist with it. So until then, stay safe out there and listen to music.

Teenage Dirtbag

I’ve got two tickets to Iron Maiden, baby
Come with me Friday, don’t say “maybe”
I’m just a teenage dirtbag, baby, like you
Wheatus “Teenage Dirtbag” (Wheatus, 2000)

There’s something kind of awesome about the tail-end of summer. People trying to cram in as much sunshine and vacation in as they can. I come from a family of educators (both sides are involved in various aspects of education) and there’s something so ingrained in my DNA about my year really starting in July/August. Seeing school supplies just does something for my soul that is indescribable.

The theme for this month as absolutely MELLOW. I am currently still OBSESSED with Ellie Goulding’s cover of “Vincent” by Don McLean. I also added some Deftones, Eva Cassidy, Kate Bush, & Alice in Chains to fuel the way back machine.

Chai, Pillow Queens, First Aid Kit, and Idles all have new stuff on the mix. I have to admit, when it comes to new stuff, I am really enjoying Taylor Swift’s new album “folklore” and that’s honestly a phrase I never thought I would say. Granted, I LOVED “1989“, LOATHED “Reputation“, and was MEH on “Lover“. This one, is really good though. Her single “mirrorball” makes an appearance on the mix, but I honestly had a hard time narrowing it down.

Well, that’s about it from me. I have some homework to get started and a possible nap to take. So me and my Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew are going to go enjoy the rest of our weekend. Stay safe, folks!

Gold in the Summertime

It’s too hot to sleep
Laughing in the heat
We lay together
And watch the sky turn on
Matt Nathanson “Gold in the Summertime” (Show Me Your Fangs, 2015)

I hope you guys are all doing well. We’re in the deep monsoon here in Arizona, which means beautiful clouds, hot summer days, and unfortunately NO RAIN. Thursday brought in thunder and wind, but none of the good stuff. Which blows because then it’s even MORE humid the next day. I just need something man, it’s bad enough it’s a late monsoon, work with me here!

So the mix this month, is really good. I was listening to this a lot during the first couple of weeks of school while I was doing all my data entry and gathering student information. The main theme for this month, was cover songs.

Let me explain; so in July I finished “High Fidelity” on HULU in two days. I’m still seething that it was canceled because even though I’m not a huge Zoe Kravitz fan, she was fucking PERFECT as a female Rob Gordon. And, as someone who has obsessively loved both the book and movie since my early twenties, I loved seeing the character as a woman because I’ve always felt like I could be Rob Gordon.

Anyway, during one end scene, Rob’s sitting in a lounge chair listening to “I Can’t Stand the Rain” by Ann Peebles. Now you may not know that song directly, but if you like Missy Elliot then you do know the song because she samples it in “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)“. Then a few days later, I was listening to “Punch Up the Jam” (one of my favorite music podcasts) and they talked about Gotye “Somebody that I Used to Know“. I didn’t know this, but the guitar riff in that song is a sample of a Luiz Bonfa song, “Seville“. After learning this, I ended up falling down a rabbit hole on Youtube.

I started looking for songs that were used in sampling. We have “Are You My Woman (Tell Me So)” by the Chi-Lites (sampled by Beyonce “Crazy in Love“), Stevie Wonder’s “Pastime Paradise” (Coolio “Gangsta’s Paradise“) AND The Clash “Straight to Hell” which was used by MIA in “Paper Planes“. It was pretty awesome to see how new artists turn old into new, and I have some stuff saved on Youtube for future additions. I also plan on doing a playlist with the original song followed by the sampling.

That’s it for me. I’m going to enjoy what little is left of my weekend before Monday. So enjoy the mix, and go kick out the jams.

Oooh, la la…

Lookin’ for M’s like I lost a friend
Jump out of my bed like, “Where that bread”
You gon’ hold a egg, waiter bring the check
When we talk, we Kalashnikov,
keep us in your thoughts
Run the Jewels – Oooh la la (RTJ4, 2020)

Happy Sunday!

It’s that time of year in Arizona where I hate living in a desert. It’s miserably hot, and I realize with every passing year I wish I lived somewhere (ANYWHERE) else. I am a true Winter’s Child, and am becoming more and more vampire-like because SUN + HEAT = DEATH.

So the mix for June, was really eclectic. There are a couple of random things on here that I’m fairly certain you might be like “whu?”. First up, Bob’s Burgers. I freaking LOVE this show, and the music on the show is always amazing. I was watching a re-run on Adult Swim and “Bad Stuff Happens in the Bathroom” came on and was stuck in my head FOR DAYS. So catchy, so good.

The other head-scratcher might be Phillip Glass. Let me give you the background: I’m a former classical musician. Since lockdown started, The Met has been airing a different opera from their catalog every night and so far I’ve watched like 20. There was one weekend in June where they showed two Phillip Glass operas back to back. On Friday it was Akhnaten (from 2019, which when I was planning to see my brother I was trying to find tickets for this production), and on Saturday it was Satyagraha. The piece I chose for the mix is “Evening Song” from Satyagraha. and I was completely transfixed. Both operas stayed with me for a few days, but I kept coming back to this one particular piece over and over. If you get a chance, they truly do have some amazing productions and HIGHLY recommend watching.

So that’s all for me. For today. It’s going to be a busy week with the students this week, and we have a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the school on Friday. So until next Sunday, stay safe, wash your hands, and be kind to each other.

Born in the U.S.A.

“Got in a little hometown jam
So they put a rifle in my hand
Sent me off to a foreign land
To go and kill the yellow man”
Bruce Springsteen – Born in the U.S.A. (Born in the U.S.A., 1984)

Let me take you back to April/May of 2018.

In several states, there were teacher walkouts. Arizona joined in the fray in late April, and in blistering heat I was downtown at the Capitol to join my fellow educators EVERY.DAMN.DAY. It was eye opening being able to see and meet with my local politicians and see the process in person. I also learned to ignore trolls in person, fun times.

It was my first protest march, and as we went back to school in early May, I was incensed. We didn’t get much of what we were asking for (AZ is a red state and I hate every second of it) even though we did get a few gains. But it got me in this mood that I could not shake the rest of the school year. I was in a fighting mood.

I spent all month being angry and that’s where this mix was born. I give it to you now, those of you who are still out in the streets, fighting for your voices to be heard. I see you, you are amazing, don’t give up a damn inch.

So that’s it from me. I’m going to try updating on Sundays (my one free day now that school is digitally back in session) so try and keep cool, wear your SPF, and don’t let the man get you down.

Circle the Drain

Things feel that low sometimes
Even when everything is fine
Soccer Mommy – Circle the Drain (Color Theory, 2020)

Um, it’s been awhile. And holy shit has it been a month.

I honestly just didn’t feel like writing was appropriate. It’s been a month filled with introspective conversations with myself and my friends, being more vocal about what I believe, all while trying to survive a pandemic.

I also wrapped up the school year without being able to say goodbye to my kiddos and the staff. It’s just been fucking weird man. I go back in 21 days, and I’m still not 100% on what is gonna happen. I feel like we’re gonna open up just to close down again. I guess we’ll see what happens.

So here’s the May mix. We said goodbye to Tony Allen, Little Richard, Florian Schneider, & Hillard Atkinson. Johnny Cash, Stevie Nicks & James Brown had birthdays. I took a lot of inspiration from watching the new season of Killing Eve. The soundtrack was bomb dot com this year, full of Spanish/French 60’s pop which I never realized I was so into. I was also loving the Stallion Remix with Megan Thee Stallion & Beyonce along with new tunes from boy pablo, IDLES, Soccer Mommy.

So yeah. Sorry this was so late. Next post is going to be “music to protest to’ mix I made a couple of years ago and the story behind it as well as the June 2020 mix. I’m also going to try and get together another ‘what’s been keeping me sane during quarantine’ post together. So yeah. Take care of each other. Black Lives Matter. Happy Pride. Love you guys!

Wrapped Up in Books

We’ve got a fantasy affair
We didn’t get wet, we didn’t dare
Our aspirations, are wrapped up in books
Our inclinations are hidden in looks
Belle and Sebastian – Wrapped Up in Books (Dear Catastrophe Waitress, 2003)

It’s been almost 8 weeks of quarantine.

It’s made for an interesting transition from classroom to teaching online, and staying at home as much as possible. I honestly am trying to look at the bright side because it’s the only thing keeping me sane at the moment.

I’ve been exercising every day and trying to eat as well as I can. I’ve been running at least 30 minutes 5x a week, and I’ve been cooking a lot more. I forgot that I actually DO like to cook, I just never do because I’m freaking exhausted by the time I get home from work and usually just wish I had a replicator a’la Star Trek to feed me.

One recipe I’ve made a couple of times is this Chicken Casserole. 4 ingredients, and will last long enough for some yummy leftovers. If you want something sweet, you can’t go wrong with the classic Nestle Tollhouse cooke recipe. I change mine depending on my mood; the last time I made these, I added 1 tsp. of cinnamon and butterscotch chips. Delicious and they barely lasted a week.

Now let’s move onto reading (my first true love). I generally do a bulk of my reading during school testing and during school breaks. I always do a reading goal on Goodreads (30 books) and right now I’ve read 10. Here is what I’ve finished since March.

Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner
A Dream About Lightning Bugs: A Life of Music and Cheap Lessons by Ben Folds
I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President by Josh Lieb
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Less by Andrew Sean Greer
Jane Seymour: A Haunted Queen by Alison Weir
Death Wins a Goldfish: Reflections From a Grim Reaper’s Yearlong Sabbatical by Brian Rea
Letters From an Astrophysicist by Neil deGrasse Tyson

It’s a pretty random group, but I enjoyed them for the most part. If I had to pick a favorite I would have to go with Death Wins a Goldfinch because it was cute and charming as hell. Least would go to The Goldfinch for being too damn long. Seriously great story, but just so much unnecessary fluff.

Lastly, let’s talk about Netflix. I don’t use my Netflix as much as I should and I tend to take FOREVER to getting around to watching stuff. Mostly because there is just SO MUCH STUFF TO CONSUME! So I went A-type and wrote down everything I needed to either finish/start. Here’s what I’ve finished so far.

Punisher, S2
Orange is the New Black, S7
I Am Not Ok, S1
Big Mouth S3
It’s the End of the Fucking World, S2
Gentefied, S1

I enjoyed all of these, although after OITNB I needed happy shows to wash out out the bleakness I felt after finishing the show. I highly recommend I Am Not OK and Gentefied. On a side note, the soundtrack for Gentefied is dope as hell and I’m trying to restrain myself from adding a bunch of it to my May playlist.

Okay, that’s enough of me. I’m tired and my back is hurting from sitting. Not sure if there will be another post until the May playlist, so we’ll see. Stay safe out there and WASH YOUR HANDS.

This Year

There will be feasting and dancing
In Jerusalem next year
I am going to make it through this year
If it kills me
The Mountain Goats – This Year (The Sunset Tree, 2005)

The mix this month, is again so very long.

57 songs……3 hours and 33 minutes which makes my brain so happy I could die.

NEW: Fiona Apple…..OMG. There are simply no words. Hazel English “Wake UP!” is charming, and new The 1975 gives me major summer vibes and show up twice on the mix. I’m liking Chicano Batman “Pink Elephant” the more I hear. And finally, The Lovely Eggs “Long Stem Carnations” is dreamy and weird and lovely.

DEATH/ANNIVERSARY: We said goodbye to some good ones. Adam Schlesinger from Fountains of Wayne, Bill Withers, John Prine, and Stezo to name a few. (Tony Allen will be on May’s mix) It was the anniversary of MLK’s assassination (U2, Sunday Bloody Sunday), Prince’s death, Nirvana on MTV unplugged, and 4/20 (Sublime, Smoke Two Joints).

OLD FAVES: Goldfinger “Superman” holy shit I forgot how much I loved this song. Peach Pit, The Pixies, and Echo & the Bunnymen all earned spots. Also, The Mountain Goats, whose song has been my mantra since lockdown and is the title song for the entry.

Ok guys, it’s time for me to jet. Next up is going to be free of a playlist (gasp!) and it’s going to be about media I’ve consumed during quarantine. Be safe out there and remember: